Welcome to The Bride Files - covering all things related to weddings as Laura prepares for her big day.

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I'm not sure if this will take off. It seems like there is a new trend for weddings every day, it's hard to keep up. There's so much to think about and plan, without trying to be up to date with trends. This latest one is not what I expected and it's apparently going to be huge this year. Brides are now opting to ditch their bridal party and go solo. There are two reasons; to keep costs down and also to have the focus on herself and her new husband. The new trend has been mentioned in the Pinterest Wedding Report where they saw a 100% rise in searches for no-bridesmaid wedding inspiration. The report says:

"Less is more — brides are choosing to go with fewer bridesmaids, or sometimes none at all! This decision ensures the focus is all about you and your partner."

This might be a consideration for a number of reasons. Firstly, you could save a lot of money. You won't have to buy dresses, shoes or accessories for anyone else. Not to mention the hairstyles, makeup and fake tan that goes with all of that. It would also make sense if you couldn't decide on who to pick and knew that picking one friend over the other would cause offense. Personally, I wouldn't do this. Half the fun of the preparations is having your closest girls on hand for opinions, decisions and general wedding-related fun. They are a crucial part of your life and the day so it's important to have them involved. Plus, who is going to throw the killer hen party? Somehow, I don't see this one taking off.

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If you have any other advice or if you have a product/company you want to feature on The Bride Files you can get in touch with me through email, laura.holland@her.ie, or on Twitter @LaurHolland.